The Wire star Dominic West throws his support behind the Prince's Trust Make A Change Week

AS PART of the Mail’s Make A Change Week partnership with The Prince’s Trust, celebrating 20 years of its Team programme in the city, today we bring you an exclusive interview with Dominic West, star of hit television series The Wire.

AS PART of the Mail’s Make A Change Week partnership with The Prince’s Trust, celebrating 20 years of its Team programme in the city, today we bring you an exclusive interview with Dominic West, star of hit television series The Wire.

Yesterday, the Trust revealed shocking figures showing over a quarter of youngsters in Birmingham feel isolated from the community and blamed gang culture for many problems in the city.

Before taking up the role of Baltimore cop Jimmy McNulty, West, now an ambassador for the Prince’s Trust, was shown around the criminal underworld of the city his character would call home.

“In preparation for the role, I had to shadow one of the city’s homicide cops,” he said.

“One particularly eventful night was spent in a hospital trauma unit with the family of a guy who had been shot three times in the head. Suddenly, there I was as this boy was being resuscitated right in front of me. It was horrific – but brought me into the reality of gangs immediately.

“Meeting the individuals and organisations working behind the scenes in Baltimore’s toughest neighbourhoods gave me a real appreciation for those who offer young people a second chance – be it leaving a gang, getting an education or finding a job.”

Under the Trust’s Team programme, youngsters from disadvantaged backgrounds take part in a 12-week course to develop new skills and make their way into education or work.

Dominic said it was this work that attracted him to the charity.

“I’m back in London now and keen to support a similar charity here in the UK. The Prince’s Trust struck a particular chord because it helps disadvantaged young people into jobs. It’s vital we help young people gain the skills and confidence to get jobs. Not only will this transform their lives but it will impact on their families, the communities they live in and our country’s economy.

“Many disadvantaged young people want to change. However, they can only make that change with the right support.”